Helm Crag, a Wainwright too far

[canisp]

Hills done, Gibson Knott and Calf Crag
OS Map No 90
Start Grasmere Village, Grid Ref 339073
Distance walked 13 km’s
Height Gain 700 metre’s
8 April 2011

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Leaving Grasmere around 8:00 am i walked through the village to Brimmer Head Farm then up a well signposted path to Helm Crag, from car to summit 1 hour.

Looking down on Brimmer Head Farm


Looking up to the lower south top of Helm Crag


The lower south top of Helm Crag


Helm Crag


I made 3 or 4 attempts to scramble up to the top of the highest rock (the howitzer) by slightly different lines but couldn’t manage it. Half my brain was saying go on push it, take a chance, the other half was saying hey remember when you slipped off one of the Narnain Boulders, don’t be stupid…… sanity prevailed.

Summit cairn of Gibson Knott


Looking down Easedale Gill


After about 45 minutes spent around the summit area i headed off for Gibson Knott 1 km to the north west. Calf Crag was the next Wainwright on route then lunch was had near a small tarn on Brownrigg Moss.

Reflection in pool near the summit of Calf Crag


Reflection in pool near the summit of Calf Crag


Looking across the small tarn on Brownrigg Moss


Looking across the small tarn on Brownrigg Moss


Not having been out walking much lately and with the day being hot i was struggling, so much so that after reaching Greenup Edge i couldn’t work up any enthusiasm to continue to High Raise so turned tail and escaped down Far Easedale Gill. It was a pleasant walk down Far Easedale Gill with a few small waterfalls providing diversions to take my mind off my aching legs.

Bridge over Far Easedale Gill


Bridge over Far Easedale Gill


Waterfall


Waterfall


Finally a short stroll from Brimmer Head Farm and i was back at the car.

Path near the river


Nearing Brimmer Head Farm

[ChrisW]

Great report and stunning pics - you made the right choice in not pushing too hard on the lion, if you are on your own risk taking is never a good idea

[PauloUK77]

Some great pics there, I can't wait to have a go at Helm Crag.The danger is pushing too far and getting stuck.

[icemandan]

Like the pics - the one looking down Ease Gill is particularly good. You got a fantastic day.

[Crawler]

those are stunning photos especially the ones looking across water Haven't been up Helm Crag etc for many years now

[yokehead]

Hi canisp, welcome back after so long! Love the report and superb photos as ever, great to see those trademark shots at water level!

Don't blame you for not pushing that scramble, what with all of those hills you've still to climb! Better to keep yourself in one piece for future great hill days.

[john923]

.. great to see those trademark shots at water level!

As good an advert for wild swimming as I've seen for quite a while - well it was certainly the weather for it

[canisp]

Thanks for the kind comments

Hi canisp, welcome back after so long!

Thanks. I’ve been busy with family, friends and other stuff so hill walking had to take a backseat, i hope to get back into hill walking but first my fitness levels need working on as they have gone through the floor .

[houdi]

Truly stunning photos and what an excellent clear day you had. This takes me back a few years when I climbed Blencathra (up via Sharp Edge & down via Hall’s Fell) in the morning of my last day in the Lakes, and Helm Crag in the afternoon. Actually, the lower summit is called the Lion & the Lamb and the main summit (your fourth photo, I think) is the Howitzer. It’s the one Wainwright never managed to climb. Oddly enough I climbed it three times that day. Some kind person offered to take my photo on top of the Howitzer but when I subsequently looked at it I found it was way too dark. I didn’t have the heart to tell them so I got the next person who came along to retake it, which meant climbing up again. And then some bloke from London scrambled up but got stuck and couldn’t get back down. I ended up having to go up there again to help him down. It’s quite tricky to find the best route but once I’d figured that out it was easy. It took me less than thirty seconds to get up there that third time. Cracking little hill though, and easily one of the best summits in the Lakes.

[canisp]

Actually, the lower summit is called the Lion & the Lamb and the main summit (your fourth photo, I think) is the Howitzer.

Thanks for the info, a lack of attention to detail on my part , have edited to correct

……I found it was way too dark……

Better too dark than too light, it gives more room for manoeuvre when post processing.

[wyattwolf]

Hi, is Helms Crag a good prospect for a newbie with only one walk under my belt to date (Fairfield Horseshoe with a mate guiding). Looking to go this coming weekend, I was thinking of camping nearby (Rydal Hall or Grasmere) and then walking up there and having a wonder and then back again. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated Oh and I can't read a map yet....

Awesome pics!!

[Penguin]

Cracking pics I wish i could take photo's like that, but mine never seem to come out how I hoped. I can empathise with the walking having to take a backseat. Hopeully it's not for too long.

Penguin

[canisp]

Hi, is Helms Crag a good prospect for a newbie with only one walk under my belt to date…… ……Oh and I can't read a map yet....

Hi wyattwolf

It’s a short easy hike up to Helm Crag for the most part on a well worn path, and a much easier day than the Fairfield Horseshoe. On a clear day it shouldn’t be a problem, but get your mate to show you the basics of map and compass work, as you tackle more hills you will need these skills. Good luck with Helm Crag and let us know how you get on.

Steve……

I wish i could take photo's like that, but mine never seem to come out how I hoped.

I get lucky sometimes, if not i post process them to death

I can empathise with the walking having to take a backseat. Hopeully it's not for too long.

Thanks, i’m getting there, slowly.

Steve……

[The Hanging Monkey]

I was up there the other week, I didn't manage to get to the top of the fell either!

I think I'd got a way sussed out, but I was running out of time and didn't want a ticket when I got back to Grasmere. There's always next time.